Ornamental
Guides
Aleurodicus
whiteflies, spiraling whiteflies, rugose spiraling whitefly (for A. rugioperculatus), giant whitefly (for A. dugesii)
Aleurodicus is a genus of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) comprising at least 30 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Several species are significant agricultural and ornamental pests, including the invasive rugose spiraling whitefly (A. rugioperculatus) and the spiraling whitefly (A. dispersus). The genus is characterized by distinctive wax-producing capabilities and puparial morphology used extensively in taxonomic identification.
Anthonomus testaceosquamosus
hibiscus bud weevil
Anthonomus testaceosquamosus, commonly known as the hibiscus bud weevil, is a small curculionid weevil native to northeastern Mexico and southern Texas. The species was first detected as an invasive pest in south Florida in May 2017, where it infests China rose hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) in ornamental production systems. It has three larval instars and completes its life cycle only at 27±1°C. The species is now regulated in Florida due to significant economic damage to the hibiscus industry.
Arequipa
Arequipa is a genus of cacti in the family Cactaceae, established by Britton & Rose in 1922. The genus is named after the city of Arequipa in southern Peru, a major center for cactus diversity in the Andes. Species in this genus are characterized by their columnar or shrubby growth habit and are native to arid and semi-arid regions of southern Peru and northern Chile. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some species transferred to related genera such as Weberbauerocereus.
Eurytetranychus buxi
Boxwood Mite
Eurytetranychus buxi, commonly known as the boxwood mite, is a spider mite in the family Tetranychidae that specializes on boxwood (Buxus species). It is a significant pest of cultivated boxwood in North America and Europe. Climate change may allow this mite to complete additional generations in warmer conditions, potentially increasing damage in regions where it was previously unproblematic.
Lorita scarificata
chrysanthemum flower borer
Lorita scarificata, commonly known as the chrysanthemum flower borer, is a small tortricid moth native to North America and introduced to Hawaii. The species was described by Meyrick in 1917 and is notable for its association with cultivated and wild flowering plants. Adults are diminutive with a wingspan of only 10–12 mm. The species has gained minor notoriety as a pest of ornamental chrysanthemums and agricultural crops.
Monarthropalpus
boxwood leafminer gall midge
Monarthropalpus is a genus of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae. The genus contains at least one described species, M. flavus, commonly known as the boxwood leafminer. These small flies are native to Europe and were introduced to North America, where they have become significant pests of boxwood (Buxus spp.) ornamental plants. The larvae develop as leafminers within boxwood leaves, causing characteristic yellow-orange discoloration, blistering, and gall formation that disfigures foliage.
Monarthropalpus flavus
boxwood leafminer
A small gnat-like gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) native to Europe that is a significant pest of boxwood (Buxus spp.) in ornamental landscapes. Adults are delicate orange flies resembling mosquitoes. Females use a drill-like ovipositor to insert eggs into the undersides of young leaves. Larvae feed gregariously within leaf tissue, inducing rudimentary blister galls through hypertrophy and hyperplasia of spongy parenchyma. The species represents an evolutionary intermediate between leafminers and true gall inducers. First detected in the United States in 1910, it now causes serious damage to boxwood across the eastern U.S.
Pulvinaria floccifera
Cottony Camellia Scale, Cottony Yew Scale, Cottony Taxus Scale
Pulvinaria floccifera is a soft scale insect (Coccidae) known for producing conspicuous white, cottony ovisacs that cover eggs. It is a significant pest of woody ornamentals including camellia, holly, yew, and tea plants. The species has a broad global distribution spanning temperate and subtropical regions. Females are sessile and wingless, while males develop wings for mating. Heavy infestations produce honeydew that supports sooty mold growth, reducing plant vigor and aesthetic value.
Sarucallis
crape myrtle aphid
Sarucallis is a monotypic genus of aphids in the family Aphididae. The sole described species, Sarucallis kahawaluokalani, is commonly known as the crape myrtle aphid. Adults measure 1.2 to 1.8 millimeters in body length. The genus is native to Asia and has become widely distributed globally through the ornamental plant trade, tracking the spread of its host plant, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.).
Sarucallis kahawaluokalani
Crapemyrtle Aphid
Sarucallis kahawaluokalani, the crapemyrtle aphid, is a specialist phloem-feeding pest native to Southeast Asia and first described from Hawaii in 1907. It has spread globally through the ornamental plant trade, closely tracking the distribution of its host plant Lagerstroemia spp. The species exhibits complex life cycle alternation between asexual summer generations and sexual autumn generations producing overwintering eggs. Heavy infestations cause aesthetic and physiological damage through honeydew production and associated sooty mold growth.
Singhiella
ficus whitefly
Singhiella is a genus of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) containing species that are significant pests of Ficus plants. The most economically important species, Singhiella simplex (the ficus whitefly), has become invasive across multiple continents, causing severe defoliation of ornamental Ficus hedges and trees. The genus is distinguished by puparial characteristics used in whitefly taxonomy, including color, shape, and wax placement.
Stephanitis pyrioides
Azalea Lace Bug
Stephanitis pyrioides, the azalea lace bug, is an invasive pest native to the East Palaearctic that has spread globally. It is a specialist feeder on Rhododendron species, particularly azaleas, causing characteristic white stippling damage to leaves through mesophyll feeding. The species undergoes multiple generations annually in temperate regions and has become a significant pest of ornamental horticulture.
Unaspis euonymi
Euonymus Scale
Unaspis euonymi is a diaspidid scale insect native to East Asia and now widespread as an invasive pest. It infests Euonymus species and several other ornamental plants, causing significant damage in urban and suburban landscapes. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in both morphology and feeding behavior. It has been extensively studied as a target for classical biological control using introduced and native natural enemies.